Mariana Weissmann facts for kids
Mariana Weissmann (born 17 December 1933) is an amazing Argentinian scientist. She is a physicist who uses computers to study how materials behave, especially solids. This field is called computational physics of condensed matter. In 2003, she made history by becoming the first Argentinian woman to win the important L'Oréal-UNESCO Awards for Women in Science. The same year, she also received the Konex Prize in Physics.
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Mariana Weissmann's Scientific Work
Mariana Weissmann earned her PhD in 1965 from the University of Buenos Aires. After that, she continued her advanced studies at the California Institute of Technology in the United States. She became an expert in theoretical studies and using computer simulations to understand the properties of solid materials.
Studying Ice and Clouds
One of her important research areas was the computational physics of condensed matter, especially how ice forms. Her work helped open up new possibilities for cloud seeding. Cloud seeding is a way to try and change how much or what type of rain or snow falls from clouds. It's like trying to make it rain more or less using science!
Research on Silicon and Carbon
She also spent time studying the surfaces of silicon. Silicon is a very common material used in electronics, like in computer chips. She looked at how silicon surfaces interact with carbon atoms. This research included studying newly found molecules such as doped fullerenes. Fullerenes are special carbon molecules shaped like tiny cages or tubes.
Guiding New Scientists
Throughout her career, Mariana Weissmann has guided many students who were working on their PhDs. She has also published more than 100 scientific papers in international journals. This means her research and findings are known and respected by scientists all over the world.
Awards and Recognition
In 2003, Mariana Weissmann received the prestigious L'Oréal-UNESCO Awards for Women in Science. She won in the category for Latin America. This award was created in 1998 to celebrate women scientists. Mariana Weissmann was the very first scientist from Argentina to receive this important international recognition.
See also
In Spanish: Mariana Weissmann para niños
